Working Together on Water Challenges: What's Working and What's Missing?

In response to World Water Week in Stockholm last month, our partner WWF is hosting a water series on their blog On Balance to continue the conversation. Several different partners will be sharing their perspectives, and we're helping spread those stories here on Unbottled. Check back each day this week to get a snapshot of their posts and to jump into the conversation in the comments.

At 2013 Stockholm World Water Week (September 1 -- 6), we
joined World Wilidlife Fund (WWF) in posing provocative questions and asked conference
attendees to respond on a large, canvas board.
Here’s what we asked:

We say water, you say…?

The biggest water challenge is…?

Without fresh water…

How do you value H2O?

As we read through the different responses, we came to a clear conclusion --
the same conclusion that inspired our innovative
collaborations, we can create new opportunities to tackle the world’s water
challenges.

A decade ago, when we started to strategically engage on
water issues outside the walls of our bottling plants, we realized that we
needed to do so in partnership with others.
These partners included local communities and governments as well as organizations
that understood the challenges and had expertise, credibility and the
willingness to partner.

WWF was one of our first partners. After a successful seven years of work
together on freshwater conservation and improvements in our production
facilities and agricultural ingredient supply chain, we recently announced
another eight years of planned work, through 2020. But before we launched this exciting next
phase, we took time to reflect on our experience and document learnings -- both
in conservation as well as business/NGO partnerships. You can learn more by
going to our Freshwater Conservation website.

Want to hear more of Greg's perspective? See this original piece on the World Wildlife Fund's On Balance where he continues the conversation. Have questions? Let Greg know in the comments below.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, offering over 500 brands to people in more than 200 countries. Of our 21 billion-dollar brands, 19 are available in lower- or no-sugar options to help people moderate their consumption of added sugar. In addition to our namesake Coca-Cola drinks, some of our leading brands around the world include: AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater, and Zico coconut water. At Coca-Cola, we’re serious about making positive contributions to the world. That starts with reducing sugar in our drinks and continuing to introduce new ones with added benefits. It also means continuously working to reduce our environmental impact, creating rewarding careers for our associates and bringing economic opportunity wherever we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people around the world.